Skin Cancer Do You Visit Tanning Salons?

Skin Cancer - Do You Visit Tanning Salons?
By CD Mohatta

One of the main causes of skin cancer is exposure to harmful sun rays. If you thought that getting tanned at tanning salons was safer than the sun, please think again before visiting any salon again. Tanning beds and sunlamps are as dangerous as the sun rays.

Most of the bulbs used in the salons emit both UVA and UVB radiations that are also found in the sunlight and are responsible for both Melanoma and Nonmelonoma types of cancers. Exposure to tanning bulbs also reduces our body's ability to repair the damaged DNA, which is caused by UV radiation.

Tanning not only may cause cancers as the last damage but also prematurely ages the skin. How many of us realize that tanning is body's response to damage to the skin. every time, you get tanned , you accumulate skin damage. There is no such thing as safe tanning.

Unfortunately the cosmetic trends are pushing more women to tanning salons. More people are inviting cancer for the sake of the tanned look. Melanoma can kill if not diagnosed earlier. Unfortunately the young population is not changing its behavior about getting tanned. as they accumulate skin damage over the years, their getting affected by skin cancer at later stage of their life is increasing.

If you are one of those who believe that a tan is good and that tanning beds or sun lamps are safe, please stop using them. You are putting your life to a very painful death.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

The author C.D. Mohatta writes articles on skin problems, skin treatments and skin care. You can visit http://www.doctorgoodskin.com/ for more information about how to have good skin. You can read articles, advice and tips on love, dating, relationship and break-up on http://www.yourromanceguide.com/. If you love to solve a quiz, please look at http://www.funquizcards.com/ This site has free flash quiz cards on different topics including Personality, Friendship, Love, dating and many other subjects.

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Modifying Cells to Fight Skin Cancer?

Modifying Cells to Fight Skin Cancer?
By Lance Winslow

Some scientists are making headway in the fight against skin cancer in Germany where they modified blood cells to use to attack tumor cells and wiped out the cancer in two male patients with advanced melanoma. Come again you did what? That is what they are saying, could it be true? Well, no one knows for sure yet, but if they figure out a way to make it work in all patients this could be a massive break thru indeed. Could this be the break thru that gene therapists have been longing for to fight cancer? Maybe some say.

Nevertheless this is good news, unfortunately there were 15 patients and only two were cured, but the two who were cured were Totally cured, completely as in 100% cured. Wow. Perhaps they will figure out why it works how it works and it what ratio it works so they can help everyone with advanced Melanoma?

If they can perfect this it might be used to fight advanced breast cancer, colon cancer and other common cancers, which put patients in terminal situations? Of course this also has application in life longevity efforts and other diseases like heart disease too. Melanoma does kill almost 10,000 people a year in the United States so this is a wonderful break thru and scientists are working to figure it all out. Consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance in the Online Think Tank and solve the problems of the World; www.WorldThinkTank.net/

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Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer Coping with Skin Reactions

Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer- Coping with Skin Reactions
By Carol Kornmehl

Radiation therapy is a simple, painless, and generally well-tolerated tool for treating and even curing breast cancer. One of the most common side effects of radiation therapy to the breast (after a lumpectomy) or to the chest wall (after a mastectomy) is skin irritation. The reaction and its extent differ for every woman. Because radiation therapy is often such an important part of breast cancer treatment, it is important to know how to mitigate its side effects in order to gain the greatest benefit from the therapy.

Coping with Skin Irritation

Radiation-induced skin reactions are more likely to occur in people who received chemotherapy shortly before or during radiation therapy and in women who have a prominent fold under the crease of the breast. In fact, this area and the underarm are the most common areas of the breast to sustain a skin reaction. Most skin reactions resolve within a few weeks of completing radiation therapy.

Skin reactions are almost inevitable for women receiving radiation to the chest wall after a mastectomy. As a result, many radiation oncology facilities give such women a one-week prophylactic break halfway through the course of treatment, to reduce the severity of skin reactions.

The severity of a skin reaction varies from person to person. It can become more noticeable as the course of treatment progresses. Faint pinkness of the skin, brisk redness, sun burnt sensation, dryness, itching, peeling, darkening like a suntan, blistering, and moist oozing can occur.

When the reaction is severe, such as a brisk redness that evolves into blistering and moist weeping of the skin, women receive a treatment break, usually lasting a week or two. This rest is usually sufficient to alleviate the worst symptoms. When necessary, doctors can prescribe therapeutic creams. Radiation can be resumed once the reaction resolves.

Treating the Reaction

During radiation therapy, women can avoid chafing the irradiated skin by going braless or by wearing a cotton sports bra without an underwire that fits well below the crease of the breast or the irradiated skin of the chest wall. Women who can go braless altogether, should. If that is not a comfortable solution, women should wear a bra as infrequently as possible to reduce the likelihood and/or the degree of a skin reaction. Also, aerating the irradiated skin helps minimize skin reactions.

Over-the-counter moisturizing creams without alcohol and fragrance can reduce the extent of a skin reaction. Often, radiation oncology teams prescribe these creams at the beginning of radiation therapy.

Women should also try to be kind to the irradiated skin, which can be easily inflamed. Radiation oncologists suggest:

Do not rub, scrub, or scratch the skin in the treatment area; instead, pat the skin dry and massage physician-prescribed anti-itch creams or ointments onto the affected area.
Avoid sun exposure to the irradiated skin. When going outdoors, wear protective opaque clothing such as a cotton tee shirt.
Steer clear of tight-fitting blouses and bras over the area unless instructed otherwise.
Use only lukewarm water and mild soap recommended by the radiation oncology team on the treated area.
Avoid using ice packs or heating pads on the treated skin.
Steer clear of commercial deodorants and skin care products not endorsed by the treatment team.
Do not shave the underarm on the treated side with a non-electric razor.
Avoid skin care products for at least two hours before radiation treatment.

Although a number of people who undergo radiation therapy do experience skin reactions, most get past this temporary side effect. By working with their radiation oncology teams, people pass the metaphorical finish line of the course of radiation therapy, usually victoriously. Most importantly, they derive substantial benefits from radiation therapy and move on to leading productive, cancer-free lives.

Dr. Kornmehl is a board certified radiation oncologist and author of the critically acclaimed consumer health book, The Best News About Radiation Therapy (M. Evans, 2004). Her website is http://www.RTSupportDoc.com .

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The New Hope for PC Patients Celexa for Prostate Cancer

The New Hope for PC Patients - Celexa for Prostate Cancer
By Milos Pesic

Be informed: Celexa, or its generic name Citalopram is a drug used to treat depression, being a mood elevator, a class of antidepressant called SSRI. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, or SSRI, works by increasing the quantity of a certain natural substance located in the brain.

Take note: Celexa is an anti-depression drug. If used outside that prescription, it is important to ask first medical judgment. Even then, it is still considered wise to get medical attention always.

The news is Celexa for prostate cancer. This antidepressant was found to treat hot flashes effectively in men undergoing hormonal therapy for prostate cancer. The October issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings (reference date October 11, 2004) had researchers report that:

The antidepressant (Celexa) is an effective medication that reduces the hot flashes of men who are undergoing hormone therapy for prostate cancer

The Paxil, or Paroxetine compound found in Celexa seems to be responsible for diminishing these hot flushes, the researchers have reported. During the duration of the 5 weeks of study, the 18 men who completed the therapy under close monitoring had illustrated hot flashes reduction from 6.2 to 2.5 per day. These hot flash scores, and the frequency multiplied by the severity, reduced in the same period from 10.6 to 3 per day.

So what does this mean? It means that the new label antidepressant drugs, like Celexa could be the next answer for prostate cancer problems. Treating Celexa for prostate cancer could be a viable option.

An older and more common treatment for hot flushes in prostate cancer patients was Megace, generic name Megestrol Acetate. It is a female hormone progesterone derivative, a progestogen. When prostate cancer patients are treated with hormonal theraphy, Megace is employed and most of the times used in junction with Lupron or Zoladex which produces surprisingly effective results of 90% reduction of hot flushes. But there had been isolated reports that the cancer had progressed while having Megace treatment, and it was found out that Megace could have opposite progression of the disease on some patients.

Try suggesting the Celexa for prostate problems to your physician. Celexa for prostate could be your only hope in defeating cancer. But never self-administer drugs such as Celexa (or any of those mentioned) for any reason, always seek professional help. There are dozens of things you need to know and must check before you begin using Celexa for prostate cancer treatment.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Prostate Cancer and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Prostate Cancer web site. For more articles and resources on Prostate Cancer related topics, treatment options and much more visit his site at:

=>http://prostate.need-to-know.net/

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The 4 Step Check For Skin Cancer Detection

The 4 Step Check For Skin Cancer Detection
By Jack Prime

Moles can turn into cancerous melanomas so it's important you check your moles regularly and talk to your doctor if there is any sign of danger.

Follow this 4 step, A-B-C-D, guide when checking your moles and if any of the points are true, be sure to take appropriate action.

Asymmetry: If one half of the mole does not match the other half. A mole or birthmark that has skin growth which increases in size should be examined by a doctor.

Border: If the edge of the mole is ragged, notched or blurred. Moles with skin cancer may have uneven borders.

Color: If the mole is a mix of brown, black and tan rather than an even color you should ensure it is looked at by a doctor. A mole that appears red or blue should also be cause for concern.

Diameter: If the mole is larger than a pencil eraser (6 mm). An important sign of melanoma is a change in size.

Check your body thoroughly at least every three months and if you have quite a few moles be sure to keep an eye on any changes. If any of your moles stand out from the others or if a mole starts bleeding for no apparent reason you should always consult your doctor.

The good news is that there is a lot you can do to protect yourself from skin cancer, or to catch it early enough so that it can be treated effectively, so make sure you check yourself thoroughly and often.

For further advice on health care and support, visit http://www.curemequick.com.

This article was submitted by Jack Prime, a contributer to the http://www.curemequick.com website.

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Symptoms of Skin Cancer

Symptoms of Skin Cancer
By Tim Grimsley

The most common form of cancer in humans is skin cancer. There are over one million cases annually, although not all are reported. Cases of skin cancer has continually risen, this raises concerns over public health. Almost half of Americans that reach retirement age will develop skin cancer at some point.

A common indicator of skin cancer is new growths or sores that will not heal. There are three different types of skin cancer. squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma also known as carcinoma epithelioma, melanoma. Of these basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common. These are examples of non melanoma cancers. Because of its ability to rapidly spread, melanoma is regarding as a very dangerous form of cancer.

More than 90% of skin cancer cases in the U.S. are Basal Cell Carcinoma. This type of cancer causes damage by invading the surrounding cells. It is usually not life threatening. People with fair complexions are at greater risks of developing basal cell carcinomas. Basal cell carcinomas cancer can form any where on the body. Skin cancer is also more common in areas where the UV rays of the sun are stronger. An example of this would be Florida having a higher rate than Michigan.

The appearance begins as a small bump, often appearing to have a pearly texture. These bumps often grow slowly taking years to become large.

General treatment consists of performing a biopsy. The goal of the doctor is to remove the entire infected area, sometimes this may require a few stitches. In most cases this is done right in the doctors office. Another form of treatment is freezing called Cryosurgery.

Prevention of basal cell carcinoma involve limiting sun exposure, wearing broad brim hats, using UVA sun protection cream, and having regular check-ups...CONTINUE

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Melanoma Skin Cancer An Overview

Melanoma Skin Cancer An Overview
By John Grimes

Skin cancer is a term used to identify cancerous cell growth on the epidermis of a person, but it really breaks down into three types. Melanoma skin cancer is by far the most deadly one.

When people discuss skin cancer, they are really talking about a general term that applies to cancerous problems with the skin. There are actually three subcategories of skin cancer basal, squamous and melanoma. Melanoma is by far the deadliest.

Melanoma skin cancer is a malignant form of cancer. It occurs when cells that color the skin become cancerous. These cells are called melanocytes. Melanocytes are generally found in the lower layers of the epidermis. When you go out in the sun, the body reacts to protect itself by having melanocytes produce pigment to color the skin. In practical terms, this is what happens when you get a sunburn or tan.

Melanoma occurs due to a number of factors. The most common is when the DNA in the melanocytes is altered by UV radiation found in sunlight. While the damage is usually found on the skin, it can also occur in the eyes. On men, melanoma usually presents in the skin from the shoulders to the hips. With women, the disease tends to present on the arms and legs. A vast majority of reported cases involve adults, but kids can be unfortunate enough to suffer from it.

When evaluating melanoma, it is important to understand there are some defined risk factors. They include subjects such as unusual moles, exposure to the sun, tanning booth UV exposure, a family history of melanoma, red or blond hair, blue eyes, white or light colored skin. While these are common risk factors, there absence does not mean you are risk free.

Once discovered, the treatment for melanoma is highly dependent on the extent of the problem. Melanoma present only in the skin can be treated successfully in many different ways. Melanoma, however, can spread through the body. If it has spread to the lymph nodes, the risk of a terminal diagnosis goes up dramatically. Treatment courses will then be far more aggressive with the outcome dependent upon your specific situation.

Melanoma is undoubtedly the worst form of skin cancer. If discovered early enough, it can be treated. If you are concerned at all that you might have a problem, see a medical professional as soon as possible.

John Grimes is with AllTerrainco.com - makers of natural sun protection products.

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